Six simple ingredients—white rum, sugar, lime, sparkling water, ice, and mint leaves—are all it takes to make up this ever-popular Cuban highball. The sweet, citrusy, and minty flavours nicely balance the intense kick of the rum.

This refreshing cocktail originated in Italy, but is internationally renown. Though there are variations of this popular cocktail, the original bellini is made of a mixture of Prosecco (an Italian sparkling wine) and peach purée.

Meaning “bloody” in Spanish, Sangria is a wine punch typically made up of red wine, chopped or sliced fruit (commonly oranges, lemons, apples, and peaches), a sweetener such as honey, sugar, or orange juice, a spirit such as brandy or triple sec, and finished off with carbonated soda and ice. A white wine such as Sauvingon Blanc may also be used in lieu of a red, in which case it’s known as sangria blanca.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand introduced this vodka-based drink earlier this year as its national cocktail. The signature drink also contains fresh lemon grass, Kaffir lime leaves, Thai lime and Thai bird chilli (phrik kee nuu), all of which are ingredients similarly used in Tom Yam soup, a culinary Thai favourite. Though it may only be a relative newbie in the cocktail world, we’re hoping this fun and creative drink will one day be as well known as a mojito or bellini to bartenders everywhere!

 

As Canadians, we can proudly take credit for this tasty Bloody Mary variation! Invented forty years ago by Canadian bartender Walter Chell in Calgary, Alberta, the Caesar contains vodka, Mott’s Clamato, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, and is served in a salt-rimmed glass on the rocks with a celery stalk and lime wedge as garnishes. We recommend savouring this during weekends at the cottage!